Cationic alkoxyamines and their use in producing nano particles from natural or synthetic clays

ABSTRACT

The instant invention relates to cationic alkoxyamines, which are useful as polymerization initiators/regulators in a controlled stable free radical polymerization process to produce intercalated and/or exfoliated nanoparticles from natural or synthetic clays. The invention also relates to improved nanocomposites produced by this process and to the use of these nanocomposite compositions as, for example, coatings, sealants, caulks, adhesives and as plastic additives.

The instant invention relates to cationic alkoxyamines, which are useful as polymerization initiators/regulators in a controlled free radical polymerization process to produce intercalated and/or exfoliated nanoparticles from natural or synthetic clays. The invention also relates to improved nanocomposite compositions produced by this process and to the use of these nanocomposite compositions as, for example, coatings, sealants, caulks, adhesives and as plastic additives.

One way of improving polymer properties is by adding a natural or synthetic clay material to polymers to form composite materials. However, incorporating clays into polymers may not provide a desirable improvement in the physical properties, particularly mechanical and optical properties of the polymer may be adversely affected.

Nanonocomposite compositions containing finely dispersed natural or synthetic clay with at least partially intercalated and/or exfoliated layers and mixtures of ethylenically unsaturated monomers and/or polymers therefrom have therefore attracted much interest in the last years. These materials combine the desired effects of dispersed clay by avoiding the negative influence on, for example, the mechanical or optical properties.

Such compositions, methods for making them and their use in polymers and coatings are for example described in WO 02/24759. Polymerization processes are described using montmorillonite clay, acrylate monomers and for example ammonium persulfate as radical initiator. This conventional polymerization process leads to polymers with broad molecular weight distributions and a high polydispersity index (PD).

Y. Sogah et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 1615-1616 describe the synthesis of dispersed nanocomposite compositions by in situ living free radical polymerization of styrene using a silicate-anchored initiator. The nitroxyl compound used is a 2,2,6,6 tetramethyl-piperidine alkoxyamine. Although Sogah et al. have shown the principal possibility of preparing nanocomposite compositions by controlled free radical polymerization, they have been limited to styrene, since the known initiators/regulators are not efficient enough to polymerize acrylates or methacrylates with reasonable conversion rates at acceptable temperatures.

The present invention provides alkoxyamines, which can be anchored to natural or synthetic clays by a cationic anchor group and which have a high reactivity towards acrylates, methacrylates, styrene and other monomers resulting in a controlled molecular weight with narrow molecular weight distribution. With these compounds polymerization leads to high monomer to polymer conversions in short times and at relatively low temperatures.

In contrast to conventional radical polymerization, controlled radical polymerization allows to adjust the molecular weight of all growing chains almost uniformly to a predetermined length (low polydispersity), resulting in an almost ideal dispersion of the intercalated and/or exfoliated clay particles.

The nanocomposite compositions of the instant invention can be optically almost transparent, indicating the fine distribution, on the nanometer scale, of the clay.

One aspect of the invention is a compound of formula (I) or (II)

wherein

-   G₁ and G₂ independently represent a tertiary carbon atom to which     unsubstituted C₁-C₁₈alkyl or phenyl or with CN, COC₁-C₁₈alkyl,     CO-phenyl, COOC₁-C₁₈alkyl, OC₁-C₁₋₈alkyl, NO₂, NHC₁-C₁₈alkyl or     N(C₁-C₁₈)₂alkyl substituted alkyl or phenyl groups are bonded; or     one of -   G₁ and G₂ is a secondary carbon atom to which a group —P(O)(OR₂₂)₂     and the other is as defined above; or -   G₁ and G₂ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded     to form a 5 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring or a polycyclic or     spirocyclic 5 to 20 membered heterocyclic ring system, which is     substituted with 4 C₁-C₄alkyl groups or 2 C₅-C₁₂ spirocycloalkyl     groups in ortho position to the nitrogen atom and which may be     further substituted with one or more C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₁-C₁₈alkoxy or ═O     groups; and -   which may be interrupted by a further oxygen or nitrogen atom; -   with the proviso that at least one of the 4 C₁-C₄alkyl groups in     ortho position to the nitrogen atom is higher alkyl than methyl; -   L₁, L₂ and L₄ is a linking group selected from the group consisting     of     -   a direct bond, R₁—Y or R₂—C(O)—Y— where Y is attached to G₁         and/or G₂; C₁-C₂₅alkylene, C₂-C₂₅alkylene interrupted by     -    phenylene and C₅-C₈cycloalkylene;     -   Y is O, or NR₉ -   L₃ is a group containing at least one carbon atom and is such that     the radical .L₃-(Q⁺X⁻) derived from the group is able to initiate     polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers; -   Q₂ is a direct bond, O, NR₅ or NR₅R₆; -   Q⁺ is a cationic group selected from the group consisting of     -   wherein     -   R₁ is C₁-C₁₈alkylene,     -   R₂ is a direct bond or C₁-C₁₈alkylene,     -   R₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₈alkyl,     -   R₄ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₈alkyl,     -   R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently of the others hydrogen,         C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl or         C₆-C₁₀heteroaryl which all may be unsubstituted or substituted         by halogen, OH, NO₂, CN, C₁-C₄alkoxy, or     -   R₅, R₆ and R₇ together with the nitrogen or phosphor atom to         which they are bonded form a 3-12 membered monocyclic or         polycyclic ring, which may contain further heteroatoms;     -   R₈ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂₅alkyl, C₃-C₂₅alkyl interrupted by         oxygen, sulfur or by     -    or C₂-C₂₄alkenyl,     -   R₉ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkinyl,         phenyl, C₇-C₉phenylalkyl, which all may be unsubstituted or         substituted by one or more hydroxy, halogen or C₁-C₄alkoxy         groups;     -   R₂₂ is C₁-C₁₈alkyl;     -   X⁻ is the anion of a C₁-C₁₈carboxylic acid which may contain         more than one carboxylic acid group, fluoride, chloride,         bromide, iodide, nitrite, nitrate, hydroxide, acetate, hydrogen         sulfate, sulfate, C₁-C₁₈alkoxy sulfate, aromatic or aliphatic         sulfonate, carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, perchlorate, chlorate,         tetrafluoroborate, borate, phosphate, hydrogenphosphate,         dihydrogenphosphate or mixtures thereof; and -   p, q, and r are independently of each other a number from 0 to 10     and at least one is different from 0.

Alkyl having up to 18 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylbutyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 1-methylpentyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylhexyl, n-heptyl, isoheptyl, 1,1,3,3-tetra-methylbutyl, 1-methylheptyl, 3-methylheptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 1,1,3-trimethylhexyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylpentyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, 1-methylundecyl, dodecyl, 1,1,3,3,5,5-hexamethylhexyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl or octadecyl.

C₃-C₁₈Alkyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by

is, for example, CH₃—O—CH₂CH₂—, CH₃—S—CH₂CH₂—, CH₃—N(CH₃)—CH₂CH₂—, CH₃—O—CH₂CH₂—O—CH₂CH₂—, CH₃—(O—CH₂CH₂—)₂O—CH₂CH₂—, CH₃—(O—CH₂CH₂—)₃O—CH₂CH₂— or CH₃—(O—CH₂CH₂—)₄O—CH₂CH₂—.

C₇-C₉Phenylalkyl is, for example, benzyl, α-methylbenzyl, α,α-dimethylbenzyl or 2-phenylethyl. Preference is given to benzyl and α,α-dimethylbenzyl.

C₁-C₂₅Alkylene is a branched or unbranched radical, for example methylene, ethylene, propylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, heptamethylene, octamethylene, decamethylene, dodecamethylene or octadecamethylene.

C₂-C₂₅alkylene interrupted by

phenylene or C₅-C₈cycloalkylene is, for example,

Alkenyl having 2 to 24 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical such as, for example, vinyl, propenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl, isobutenyl, n-2,4-pentadienyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl, n-2-octenyl, n-2-dodecenyl, iso-dodecenyl, oleyl, n-2-octadecenyl or n-4-octadecenyl. Preference is given to alkenyl having 3 to 18, especially 3 to 12, for example 3 to 6, especially 3 to 4 carbon atoms.

Alkinyl having from 3 to 18 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, for example propinyl, 2-butinyl, 3-butinyl, isobutinyl, n-2,4-pentadiinyl, 3-methyl-2-butinyl, n-2-octinyl, n-2-dodecinyl, isododecinyl.

Halogen is, for example, chlorine, bromine or iodine. Preference is given to chlorine and bromine.

Alkoxy having up to 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, for example methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, pentyloxy, isopentyloxy, hexyloxy, heptyloxy, octyloxy, decyloxy, tetradecyloxy, hexadecyloxy or octadecyloxy. Preference is given to alkoxy having from 1 to 12, especially from 1 to 8, e.g. from 1 to 6, carbon atoms.

Alkanoyloxy having up to 25 carbon atoms is a branched or unbranched radical, for example acetoxy, propionyloxy, butanoyloxy, pentanoyloxy, hexanoyloxy, heptanoyloxy, octanoyloxy, nonanoyloxy, decanoyloxy, undecanoyloxy, dodecanoyloxy, tridecanoyloxy, tetradecanoyloxy, pentadecanoyloxy, hexadecanoyloxy, heptadecanoyloxy, octadecanoyloxy, icosanoyloxy or docosanoyloxy. Preference is given to alkanoyloxy having from 2 to 18, especially from 2 to 12, e.g. from 2 to 6, carbon atoms.

Hydroxyl-substituted C₂-C₁₈alkyl is a branched or unbranched radical which contains preferably 1 to 3, in particular 1 or 2, hydroxyl groups, such as, for example, hydroxyethyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 4-hydroxybutyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 2-hydroxybutyl, 5-hydroxypentyl, 4-hydroxypentyl, 3-hydroxypentyl, 2-hydroxypentyl, 6-hydroxyhexyl, 5-hydroxyhexyl, 4-hydroxyhexyl, 3-hydroxyhexyl, 2-hydroxyhexyl, 7-hydroxyheptyl, 6-hydroxyheptyl, 5-hydroxyheptyl, 4-hydroxyheptyl, 3-hydroxyheptyl, 2-hydroxyheptyl, 8-hydroxyoctyl, 7-hydroxyoctyl, 6-hydroxyoctyl, 5-hydroxyoctyl, 4-hydroxyoctyl, 3-hydroxyoctyl, 2-hydroxyoctyl, 9-hydroxynonyl, 10-hydroxydecyl, 11-hydroxyundecyl, 12-hydroxydodecyl, 13-hydroxytridecyl, 14-hydroxytetradecyl, 15-hydroxypentadecyl, 16-hydroxyhexadecyl, 17-hydroxyheptadecyl, 18-hydroxyoctadecyl.

C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl is for example cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, methylcyclopentyl or cyclooctyl.

If X⁻ is a monovalent radical of a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic carboxylic acid, it is, for example, an acetyl, caproyl, stearoyl, acryloyl, methacryloyl, benzoyl or β-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionyl radical.

If X⁻ is a divalent radical of a dicarboxylic acid, it is, for example, a malonyl, succinyl, glutaryl, adipoyl, suberoyl, sebacoyl, maleoyl, itaconyl, phthaloyl, dibutylmalonyl, dibenzylmalonyl, butyl(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonyl or bicycloheptenedicarbonyl radical.

If X⁻ is a trivalent radical of a tricarboxylic acid, it is, for example, a trimellitoyl, citryl or nitrilotriacetyl radical.

Heteroaryl is for example pyryl, thiophenyl, furyl, pyridyl or pyrimidyl.

When R₅, R₆ and R₇ form a monocyclic or polycyclic heterocyclic ring, the resulting cation is for example a pyridinium, quinolinium, isoquinolinium, imidazolium or thiazolium cation.

In one embodiment of the instant invention in formula I or II -L₁(Q⁺X⁻), -L₂(Q⁺X⁻), and -L₃(Q⁺X⁻), are a group

wherein

-   K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or     C₇-C₉phenylalkyl and -   K₃ is a group     where -   K₄ is     —Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻     or -   —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), -   where s is a number 0-8, t is a number 0-4 and u is 0 or 1 and Y is     —O— or —NR₉; or -   K₄ is a group -   Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond, -   if Z is —C(O)—, K₅ has the same meaning as K₄, -   if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is     Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u),     Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻; -   and Y is —O— or —NR₉ or a direct bond;     and -   the other substituents are as defined above.

Preferably the compounds are of formulae Ia, Ib, Ic, Id or Ie

wherein

-   Q₁ is a direct bond or a —CH₂— group; -   if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is hydrogen, -   if Q₁ is —CH₂—, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; -   T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso     that at least one is ethyl; -   T₇ and T₁₀ are independently hydrogen or methyl; -   T₅ and T₆ are hydrogen or -   T₅ and T₆ together are a group ═O, ═NOH, ═NO-T₉ or -   T₅ is hydrogen and T₆ is O-T₉ or —NR₉-T₉ where T₉ is hydrogen, R₉ or     —C(O)—R₉, where R₉ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₈alkenyl,     C₃-C₁₈alkinyl, phenyl, C₇-C₉phenylalkyl, which may be unsubstituted     or substituted by one or more hydroxy, halogen or C₁-C₄alkoxy     groups; -   T₁₁, T₁₂, T₁₃, T₁₄, T₁₅ and T₁₆ independently are C₁-C₁₈alkyl,     C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkinyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or     C₇-C₉phenylalkyl; or -   T₁₁ is hydrogen and T₁₂ is a group —P(O)(OC₂H₅)₂ and the others are     as defined above; -   or T₁₁ and T₁₄ are a group —CH₂—O-T₉ and the others are as defined     above; or -   T₁₆ is a group —C(O)—Y—R₅ and the others are as defined above; or -   T₁₁, T₁₂ and T₁₃ are a group —CH₂OH; -   -L₃(Q⁺X⁻), is a group     wherein -   K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl     and -   K₃ is a group     where -   K₄ is     Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ or -   —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N₊X⁻R₅R₆]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), -   where s and t is a number 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or -   K₄ is a group -   Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond, -   if Z is —C(O)— K₅ has the meaning of K₄, -   if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is     O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u),     Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or —CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻; -   Y is —O— or —NR₉; -   X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined above.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the compounds are of formula IIa, IIb, IIc, IId or IIe

wherein

-   A₁ and A₂ are independently hydrogen or together with the carbon     atom to which they are bonded form a carbonyl group, —C(O)—; -   D is a direct bond or C₁-C₁₂alkylene, C₁-C₁₂alkylene which is     interrupted by one or more O, S, or NR₉ atoms, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkylene     or phenylene; -   E is a group —NR₉—(CH₂)_(k)—NR₉— where x is a number from 2 to 12 or     a group -   v is a number from 0 to 10 and w is 0 or 1; -   Q₁ is a direct bond or a —CH₂— group; -   if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is hydrogen, -   if Q₁ is —CH₂—, T₈ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; -   Y is —O— or —NR₉; -   T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso     that at least one is ethyl; -   T₇ is hydrogen or methyl; -   -L₃(Q⁺X⁻), is a group     wherein -   K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl     and -   K₃ is a group     where -   K₄ is     Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ or -   —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), -   where s and t is a number 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or -   K₄ is a group

Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond,

-   if Z is —C(O)— K₅ has the meaning of K₄, -   if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is     O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u),     Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or —CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻; -   X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined above.

Also preferred are the compounds of formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IIId or IIIe

-   T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso     that at least one is ethyl; -   T₇ is hydrogen or methyl; -   Y is O or NR₉; -   Q₁ is a direct bond or a —CH group; -   if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is hydrogen, -   if Q₁ is —CH₂—, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; -   v is a number from 0 to 10 and w is 0 or 1; -   K₇ is a group     —CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u). -   where s and t is a number 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or a group -D₁—-Q⁺X⁻     where -   D₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkylene, C₁-C₁₂alkylene which is interrupted by one or     more O, S, or NR₉ atoms, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkylene or phenylene; -   K₆ is is selected from the group consisting of -   R₃₀ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₂alkyl; -   the alkyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with one or more     —OH, —COOH or —C(O)R₃₀ groups; and -   the aryl groups are phenyl or naphthyl which are unsubstituted or     substituted with C₁-C₁₂alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy,     C₁-C₁₂alkylcarbonyl, glycidyloxy, OH, —COOH or —COO(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl and -   X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined above.

Particularly suitable are the compounds according to formula IVa

wherein

-   T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso     that at least one is ethyl; -   T₇ is hydrogen or methyl;     where x is a number from 2 to 12; -   K₆ is is selected from the group consisting of -   R₃₀ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₂alkyl; -   the alkyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with one or more     —OH, —COOH or —C(O)R₃₀ groups; and -   the aryl groups are phenyl or naphthyl which are unsubstituted or     substituted with C₁-C₁₂alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy,     C₁-C₁₂alkylcarbonyl, glycidyloxy, OH, —COOH or —COO(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl and -   X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined above.

Preference is also given to compounds of formula Va, Vb, Vc, Vd or Ve

wherein

-   T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso     that at least one is ethyl; -   T₇ is hydrogen or methyl; -   Q₁ is a direct bond or a —CH₂— group; -   if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is hydrogen, -   if Q₁ is —CH₂—, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; -   K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl     and -   K₃ is a group     where -   K₄ is     Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ or -   —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)₅—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), -   where s and t is a number 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or -   K₄ is a group -   Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond, -   if Z is —C(O)— K₅ has the meaning of K₄, -   if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is     O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)₅—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u),     Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or —CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻; -   K₇ is a group     —CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), -   where s and t is a number 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or a group -D₁-Q⁺X⁻     where -   D₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkylene, C₁-C₁₂alkylene which is interrupted by one or     more O, S, or NR₉ atoms, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkylene or phenylene; -   X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined above.

Also preferred are compounds of formula VIa

wherein

-   T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso     that at least one is ethyl; -   T₇ is hydrogen or methyl;     where x is a number from 2 to 12; -   K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl     and -   K₃ is a group     where -   K₄ is     Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(r)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ or -   —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), -   where s and t is a number 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or -   K₄ is a group -   Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond, -   if Z is —C(O)— K₅ has the meaning of K₄, -   if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is     O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u),     Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or —CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻ and -   X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined above.

Of particular interest are compounds of formula Ia1, Ib1, Ic1, Id1 or Ie1

wherein

-   Q₁ is a direct bond or CH₂; -   T₁, T₃ are ethyl and T₂, T₄ are methyl; -   T₇ is methyl or H; -   if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is H; -   if Q₁ is CH₂, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; -   T₁₀ is H if T₇ is methyl or T₁₀ is methyl if T₇ is H; -   T₁₁, T₁₂, T₁₃, T₁₄, T₁₅ and T₁₆ are independently methyl or ethyl;     or -   T₁₁ is H, T₁₂ is isopropyl, T₁₃ is phenyl and T₁₄, T₁₅, T₁₆ are     methyl; or -   T₁₁ is H, T₁₂ is —P(═O)(OC₂H₅)₂, T₁₃ is t-butyl and T₁₄, T₁₅, T₁₆     are methyl; or -   T₁₁ and T₁₄ are —CH₂O-T₉ and T₁₂, T₁₅ are methyl or phenyl and T₁₃,     T₁₆ are methyl or ethyl; or -   T₁₁, T₁₂, T₁₃, T₁₄, T₁₅ are methyl and T₁₆ is a group —CO—O—R₉ or     CON(R₉)₂; or -   T₁₁, T₁₂ and T₁₃ are —CH₂OH, T₁₄ is H, T₁₅ is isopropyl and T₁₆     phenyl; -   T₉ is hydrogen, R₉ or —C(O)—R₉, where R₉ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl,     C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkinyl, phenyl, C₇-C₉phenylalkyl; -   K₁ is H, K₂ is methyl or ethyl and -   K₃ is a group -   K₄ is —Y—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(r)—N⁺X^(−R) ₅R₆R₇ or; -   —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇ where Y is O or NR₉     and s is a number from 0 to 2; -   if K₃ is     Z is —CO— or a direct bond; -   if Z is —CO—, K₅ has the same meaning as K₄; -   if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is a group     —O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁵R₅R₆R₇ or —CH₂N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ and -   X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined above.

Also of particular interest are compounds of formula IIa1, IIb1, IIc1 or IId1

wherein

-   Q₁ is a direct bond or CH₂; -   T₁, T₃ are ethyl and T₂, T₄ and T₇ are methyl; -   if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is H; -   if Q₁ is CH₂, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; -   D is a direct bond, C₁-C₁₂alkylene or phenylene; -   E is —NR₅—(CH₂)_(x)—NR₅— where x is 2 to 12 or a group     wherein Y is ═NR₉ -   K₁ is H, K₂ is methyl or ethyl and -   K₃ is a group -   K₄ is —Y—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇ or; -   —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇ where Y is O or NR₉     and s is a number from 0 to 2; -   if K₃ is     or a direct bond; -   if Z is —CO— K₅ has the same meaning as K₄; -   if Z is a direct bond K₅ is a group     —O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇ or —CH₂N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻;     and -   X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined above.

The precursors of the above compounds can be prepared according to known methods.

The preparation of open chain alkoxyamines is for example described in WO 99/03894 or in WO 00/07981. Alkoxyamines based on tetraalkyl piperidine are for example described in GB 2 335 1290 or in GB 2 361 235. Further heterocyclic alkoxyamines are described in GB 2 342 649.

A very suitable, but not the only possible, method for the introduction of the cationic moiety into the molecule of the alkoxyamine consists of first preparing the suitable precursor alkoxyamine wich is then quarternised. Examples of such alkoxyamines are given in the examples in Table 1. The non cationic precursors can be prepared by a variety of methods described in the cited patents using the suitable building blocks bearing the appropriate nucleophilic groups capable of quarternisation. Few examples of such groups are primary, secondary or tertiary amine group, pyridyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl groups, trialkyl or triaryl or alkylarylphosphine groups or a thioether group. These can be quarternised by a variety of electrophilic reagents, for example alkyl halides, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl carbonates, trialkyloxonium salts, epoxides or others. A special case is the formation of the cationic moiety by protonation of the cited nucleophilic groups by their protonation with acids. A given specific anion of the cationic alkoxyamine can be exchanged against a different one using for example ion exchangers or well known ion metathesis.

A further aspect of the invention is a process for preparing a monomer/polymer clay nanocomposite dispersion comprising the steps of

-   -   A) providing a first aqueous dispersion of a natural or         synthetic clay which can be partially intercalated and/or         exfoliated and wherein said clay has an exchangeable cation;         -   adding a compound according to claim 1 to said dispersion             and exchanging said cation at least partially;     -   B) adding to said dispersion at least one ethylenically         unsaturated monomer and polymerizing at least a portion of said         ethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Clay minerals are typically comprised of hydrated aluminum silicates that are fine-grained and have a platy habit. The crystalline structure of a typical clay mineral is a multi-layered structure comprised of combinations of layers of SiO₄ tetrahedra that are joined to layers of AlO(OH)₂ octahedra. A so called “gallery” is formed which describes the defined interlayer spaces of the layered clay minerals. Depending on the clay mineral the gallery may contain water and/or other constituents such as potassium, sodium or calcium cations. Clay minerals vary based upon the combination their constituent layers and cations. Isomorphic substitution of the cations of clay mineral, such as Al³⁺ or Fe³⁺ substituting for the Si⁴⁺ ions in the tetrahedral network, or Al³⁺, Mg²⁺ or Fe²⁺ substituting for other cations in the octahedral network, typically occurs and may impart a net negative charge on the clay structure. Natural occurring elements within the gallery of the clay, such as water molecules or sodium or potassium cations, are attracted to the surface of the clay layers due to this net charge.

Nanocomposites are compositions in which at least one of its constituents has one or more dimensions, such as length, width or thickness in the nanometer size range. The term nanocomposite, as used herein, denotes the state of matter wherein polymer molecules exist among at least partially exfoliated clay layers.

The term “intercalated nanocomposite”, as used herein describes a nanocomposite that contains a regular insertion between the clay layers.

The term “exfoliated nanocomposite” as used herein describes a nanocomposite wherein the 1 nm thick layers of clay are dispersed in the matrix (oligomer/polymer) forming a composite structure on the nano/micro scale.

The clay minerals are items of commerce and are for example supplied by Süd-Chemie Inc., Germany.

Preferably the ethylenically unsaturated monomer or oligomer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, i-butylene, styrene, substituted styrene, conjugated dienes, acrolein, vinyl acetate, vinylpyrrolidone, vinylimidazole, maleic anhydride, (alkyl)acrylic acid anhydrides, (alkyl)acrylic acid salts, (alkyl)acrylic esters, (meth)acrylonitriles, (alkyl)acrylamides, vinyl halides or vinylidene halides.

Particularly the ethylenically unsaturated monomers are ethylene, propylene, n-butylene, i-butylene, isoprene, 1,3-butadiene, α-C₅-C₁₈alkene, styrene, α-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene or a compound of formula CH₂═C(R_(a))—(C=Z)-R_(b), wherein R_(a) is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl, R_(b) is NH₂, O⁻(Me⁺), glycidyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₈alkoxy, C₂-C₁₀₀alkoxy interrupted by at least one N and/or O atom, or hydroxy-substituted C₁-C₁₉alkoxy, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₈alkylamino, di(C₁-C₁₈alkyl)amino, hydroxy-substituted C₁-C₁₈alkylamino or hydroxy-substituted di(C₁-C₁₈alkyl)amino, O—CH₂—CH₂—N(CH₃)₂ or —O—CH₂—CH₂—N⁺H(CH₃)₂An⁻;

-   An⁻ is a anion of a monovalent organic or inorganic acid; -   Me is a monovalent metal atom or the ammonium ion. -   Z is oxygen or sulfur.

Examples for R_(a) as C₂-C₁₀₀alkoxy interrupted by at least one O atom are of formula

wherein R_(c) is C₁-C₂₅alkyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted by C₁-C₁₈alkyl, R_(d) is hydrogen or methyl and v is a number from 1 to 50. These monomers are for example derived from non ionic surfactants by acrylation of the corresponding alkoxylated alcohols or phenols. The repeating units may be derived from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or mixtures of both.

Further examples of suitable acrylate or methacrylate monomers are given below.

wherein An⁻ and R_(a) have the meaning as defined above and R_(e) is methyl or benzyl. An⁻ is preferably Cl⁻, Br⁻ or ^(−O) ₃S—CH₃.

Further acrylate monomers are

Examples for suitable monomers other than acrylates are

Preferably R_(a) is hydrogen or methyl, R_(b) is NH₂, gycidyl, unsubstituted or with hydroxy substituted C₁-C₄alkoxy, unsubstituted C₁-C₄alkylamino, di(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino, hydroxy-substituted C₁-C₄alkylamino or hydroxy-substituted di(C₁-C₄alkyl)amino; and

-   Z is oxygen.

Also suitable ethylenically unsaturated monomers are styrene, methylacrylate, ethylacrylate, butylacrylate, isobutylacrylate, tert. butylacrylate, hydroxyethylacrylate, hydroxypropylacrylate, dimethylaminoethylacrylate, glycidylacrylates, methyl(meth)acrylate, ethyl(meth)acrylate, butyl(meth)acrylate, hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl(meth)acrylate, glycidyl(meth)acrylates, acrylonitrile, acrylamide, methacrylamide or dimethylaminopropyl-methacrylamide.

Preferred is a process wherein the ethylenically unsaturated monomer is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₈ alkyl methacrylate, C₁-C₁₈ alkyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, isobornyl(meth)acrylate, lauryl(meth)acrylate, allyl(meth)acrylate, stearyl (meth)acrylate, acrylic acid, itaconic acid, methacrylic acid, butadiene, vinyl acetate, vinyl versa tate, styrene, hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, vinyl aromatic monomers, divinylbenzene, divinylpyridine, divinyltoluene, diallyl phthalate, ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, butylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, divinylxylene, divinylethylbenzene, divinylsulfone, divinylketone, divinylsulfide, diallyl maleate, diallyl fumarate, diallyl succinate, diallyl carbonate, diallyl malonate, diallyl oxalate, diallyl adipate, diallyl sebacate, divinyl sebacate, diallyl tartrate, diallyl silicate, triallyl tricarballylate, triallyl aconitate, triallyl citrate, triallyl phosphate, N,N-methylene dimethacrylamide, N,N-methylene dimethacrylamide, N,N-ethylenediacrylamide, trivinylbenzene, and the polyvinyl ethers of glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, resorcinol, monothio and dithio derivatives of glycols, and combinations thereof.

Special preference is given to a process wherein an acid containing unsaturated monomer is added, which is selected from the group consisting of methacrylic anhydride, maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, acryloxypropionic acid, (meth)acryloxypropionic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, ethylmethacrylate-2-sulphonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane, sulphonic acid; phosphoethylmethacrylate; the corresponding salts of the acid containing monomer, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention the process is carried out wherein the water phase of step A) is at least partially removed before performing step B).

It is also possible that in step B) an organic solvent is additionally added.

Preferred is a process wherein the polymerization is carried out by applying heat, at a temperature of from 60° C. to 160° C.

Preferred is a process wherein the compound of formula I or II is added in an amount of from 1% to 100% by weight, based on the weight of the clay.

Preferably the weight ratio between the ethylenically unsaturated monomer added in step B) and the clay of step A) which is at least partially intercalated with a compound of formula I or II is from 500:1 to 1:5.

In a specific embodiment of the invention the process is carried out wherein a further cationic compound selected from the group of cationic surfactants is added in step A).

Typical surfactants are amino acids or alkylammonium ions.

The amino acid surfactants transfer a proton from the COOH group to the NH₂ group forming a NH₃ ⁺ group which can exchange with a cation of the clay mineral.

For example the alkylammonium ion is CH₃—(CH₂)_(n)—NH₃ ⁺ where n is from 1 to 18. It is believed that the alkylammonium cations readily exchange with the naturally occurring cations present inbetween the clay platelets resulting in an intercalated state.

It is also possible to repeat the process step B) with a second ethylenically unsaturated monomer which is different from the first one, leading to a block copolymer.

The clay may be a natural or synthetic clay material.

When the clay material is a synthetic one, it may be produced by gas-phase or sol-gel processes, for example SiO₂, [e.g. Aerosil® from Degussa; Ludox® from DuPont; Snowtex® from Nissan Chemical; Levasil® from Bayer; or Sylysia® from Fuji Silysia Chemical]; colloidal silica [e.g. Klebosol®], or organosols [e.g. Highlink® OG from Clariant].

Typical clays are natural or synthetic phyllosilicates, which may be organophilically modified montmorillonites [e.g. Nanomer® from Nanocor or Nanofil® from Suedchemie], bentonites [e.g. Cloisite® from Southern Clay Products], beidellites, hectorites, saponites, nontronites, sauconites, vermiculites, ledikites, magadiites, kenyaites or stevensites.

These materials are commercially available in its natural or partially intercalated form.

Special preference is given to a process wherein the natural or synthetic clay is selected from the group consisting of smectite, phyllosilicate, montmorillonite, saponite, beidellite, montronite, hectorite, stevensite, vermiculite, kaolinite, hallosite, synthetic phyllosilicates, and combinations thereof.

Most preferred is montmorillonite.

Further aspects of the invention are a monomer/polymer clay nanocomposite dispersion obtainable by a process as described above, a composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of a natural or synthetic clay which is partially intercalated and/or exfoliated and a compound as described above and a composition, which contains additionally an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and/or a organic solvent.

Yet another aspect of the invention is the use of a compound of formula I or II for the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers and the use of a monomer/polymer clay nanocomposite dispersion obtainable according to the process as defined above as additive in paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, reactive diluents or in thermoplastic materials.

The following examples illustrate the invention.

A) PREPARATION EXAMPLES OF THE COMPOUNDS Example A1 {4-[1-(4-tert-butyl-2,2-diethyl-6,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-piperazine-1-yloxy)-ethyl]-benzyl}-triethyl-ammonium chloride (Compound 101, Table 1) a) 1-tert-butyl-4-[1-(4-chloromethyl-phenyl)-ethoxy]-3,3-diethyl-5,5-dimethyl-piperazine-2-one

To a solution of 13.4 g (0.052 mol) 1-tert-butyl-3,3-diethyl-5,5-dimethyl-piperazine-2-one-4-N-oxyl (prepared according to Ger. Offen. DE 19949352 A1) and 8 g (0.052 mol) 4-chloromethylstyrene in 320 ml ethanol 5 g (0.00788 mol) (S,S)-Jacobsen catalyst are added. Thereafter 9.6 ml (0.052 mol) t-butylhydroperoxide (70% in H₂O) are added followed by 4 g (0.010 mol) sodiumborohydride. The mixture is stirred at room temperature under argon for 20 h and subsequently evaporated under vacuum. The residue is diluted with 50 ml water and then extracted with 2×50 ml dichlormethane. The extract is dried over MgSO₄ and purified by chromatography on silica gel (hexane-ethylacetate 12:1). After crystallisation of the pure fraction from pentane 4.5 g of the title compound are obtained, mp. 66-68° C.

C₂₃H₃₇ClN₂O₂ (409.02) calculated: C, 67.54%, H 9.12%, N 6.85; found: C 67.58%, H 9.16%, N 6.77%.

b) Quaternisation

To a solution of 20 ml triethylamine in 20 ml acetonitrile 4 g (0.0098 mol) of the product obtained under a) are added. The solution is stirred for 10 h at 60° C. and evaporated. The solid residue is suspended in 30 ml t-butyl-methyl-ether, filtrated and dried. 4.7 g of the title compound are obtained as a white powder.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.57-7.49 m (2ArH), 7.41-7.38 m (2 ArH), 4.93-4.69 m (3H), 3.57-3.37 m (6H), 3.21-2.93 m (2H), 2.0-0.62 m (37H).

Example A2 4-{4-[1-(4-tert-butyl-2,2-diethyl-6,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-piperazine-1-yloxy)-ethyl]-benzoyl}-1,1-dimethyl-piperazine-1-ium iodide (Compound 102, Table 1) a) 1-tert-butyl-3,3-diethyl-5,5-dimethyl-4-{1-[4-(4-methyl-piperazine-1-carbonyl)-phenyl]-ethoxy}-piperazine-2-one

To a solution of 0.5 g (0.00124 mol) 4-[1-(4-.tert.-butyl-2,2-diethyl-6,6-dimethyl-3-oxo-piperazin-1-yloxy)-ethyl]-benzoic acid (prepared according to WO 01/02345 A2) in 10 ml dichlormethane 0.4 g (0.00248 mol) carbonyldiimidazol are added. The mixture is stirred for 30 minutes under argon at room temperature. Subsequently 0.275 ml (0.00248 mol) N-methylpiperazine is added and the solution is stirred for further 12 h. The solution is then washed 3× with 5 ml water, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated. The residue is purified by chromtography on silica gel (hexane-ethylacetate 2:1) and 0.46 g of the title compound are obtained as viscous oil.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.39-7.28 m (4 ArH), 4.75-4.69 m (1H), 4-0.65 m (41H).

b) Quaternisation

To a solution of 1 g (0.002 mol) of the product obtained under a) in 2 ml acetonitrile 2 ml methyliodide are added and the solution is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. After evaporation 1.2 g of the title compound are obtained as yellow powder.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆): 7.45 s(4 ArH), 4.79-4.73 m (1H), 4.1-0.58 m (43H).

Example A3 {3-[2-(2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionylamino]-propyl}ethyl-dimethyl-ammonium bromide (Compound 103, Table 1) a) 2-chloro-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-propionamide

To 12.25 g (0.1 mol) 2-chlorpropionic acid-methylester 10.25 g (0.1 mol) 3-dimethylamino-1-propylamine are added at such a rate, that the reaction temperature remains below 40° C. The mixture is stirred for 4 h at room temperature and subsequently evaporated at 40° C./1 mbar. Thereafter, the methanol formed in the reaction is distilled off. 18.4 g of the title compound are obtained as colorless oil.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 8.47 bs (NH), 4.41-4.34 q(1H), 3.40-3.34 m(2H), 2.47-2.40 m(2H), 2.24 s (6H), 1.70-1.68 d (3H), 1.73-1.64 m (2H)

b) 2-(2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-propionamide

To a solution of 13.85 g (0.07 mol) 2,6-Diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidin-1-N-oxyl (prepared according to Ger. Offen. DE 2621841) in 70 ml ethylacetate 13.9 g (0.14 mol) Cu(I)-chloride are added under argon followed by 24.25 g (0.14 mol) pentamethyldiethylentriamine (PMDETA). Subsequently within 10 minutes 14.95 g (0.0735 mol) of the product obtained under a) are added dropwise. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 12 h, followed by further addition of 3.05 g of the chloramide prepared under a), 2 g CuCl and 4.3 ml PMDETA, 20 ml ethylacetate and 10 ml DMF. The mixture is then stirred for further 96 h at room temperature. The suspension is filtered and the filter cake is washed with 100 ml ethylacetate. The filtrate is washed with 3×100 ml water, then with 2×60 ml of a 1% aqueous EDTA-disodiumsalt-solution and dried over MgSO₄. The residue is purified by chromatography on silica gel (hexane-ethylacetate 2:1). 7.7 g of the title compound are obtained as thick yellow oil.

C₂₀H₄₁N₃O₂ (355.8) found: MH⁺=356.3 (APCI-MS).

c) Quaternisation

To a solution of 7.6 g (0.0214 mol) of the product obtained under b) in 10 ml acetonitrile 10 ml ethylbromide are added and the solution is stirred for 12 h at room temperature. After evaporation 9 g of the title compound are obtained as white powder.

For [C₂₂H₄₆N₃O₂]⁺×Br⁻=[384.64]×[79.904]; found M⁺ (Cation)=384.6 (Infusion ESI-MS)

Example A4 {3-[2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionylamino]-propyl}-ethyl-dimethyl-ammonium bromide (Compound 104, Table 1) a) 2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-.N.-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-propionamide

To a solution of 21.4 g (0.1 mol) 2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-N-oxyl (prepared according to Ger. Offen. DE 19909767 A1) in 50 ml DMF 19.8 g (0.2 mol) Cu(I)-chloride are added under argon. Subsequently 34.7 g (0.2 mol) pentamethyldiethylentriamine (PMDETA) and 22.1 g (0.11 mol) 2-chloro-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-propionamide (prepared according to example A3) are added within 20 minutes. The temperature during addition is kept below 40° C. The mixture is stirred 4 h at room temperature followed by the addition of 500 ml water and 150 ml dichlormethane. The organic phase is separated and the water phase is extracted with 2×100 ml dichlormethane. The organic phases are washed with 5×100 ml water, then with 3×60 ml 1% aqueous EDTA-Disodiumsalt-solution, dried over MgSO₄ evaporated. 33.55 g of the title compound are obtained as thick yellow oil.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.34-7.14 bs (1H), 4.29-4.20 m (2H), 3.6-3.1 m (2H), 2.6-0.83 m (30H), 2.22 s (6H).

b) Quaternisation

To a solution of 28.35 g (0.076 mol) of the product obtained under a) in 25 ml acetonitrile 25 ml ethylbromide are added and the solution is stirred for 12 h at room temperature. After evaporation 36.5 g of the title compound are obtained as white powder.

For [C₂₂H₄₆N₃O₃]⁺×Br⁻=[400.626]×[79.904]; found M⁺ (Kation)=400.4 (Infusion ESI-MS)

Example A5 [3-(2-{.N.-.tert.-butyl-.N.-[1-(diethoxy-phosphoryl)-2,2-dimethyl-propyl]-aminooxy}-propionylamino)-propyl]-ethyl-dimethyl-ammonium bromide (Compound 105, Table 1) a) (1-{.tert.-butyl-[1-(3-dimethylamino-propylcarbamoyl)-ethoxy]-amino}-2,2-dimethyl-propyl)-phosphonic acid diethyl ester

From 5.01 g (0.017 mol) N-(1,1-Dimethylethyl)-N-(1-diethylphosphono-2,2-dimethylpropyl)-N-oxyl (prepared according to Macromolecules (2000), 33(4), 1141-1147), 3.35 g (0.034 mol) CuCl, 5.9 g (0.034 mol) PMDETA and 3.95 g (0.0196 mol) 2-chloro-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-propionamide (prepared according to example A3) in 10 ml DMF 5.6 g of the title compound are obtained as thick yellowish oil in analogy to example A4 (reaction time 19 h).

For C₂₁H₄₆N₃O₅P (451.59) calculated C, 55.85%; H, 10.27%; N, 9.31%; found C, 55.09%; H, 9.91%; N, 8.86%.

b) Quaternisation

To a solution of 4.95 g (0.011 mol) of the product obtained under a) in 23 ml acetonitrile 3.3 ml ethylbromide are added and the solution is stirred for 17 h at room temperature. The suspension is evaporated, the residue is suspended in in 25 ml diethylether and filtered. 5.45 g of the title compound are obtained as a white powder.

Example A6 {3-[2,6-Diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-1-(1-phenyl-ethoxy)-piperidine-4-ylidene-aminooxy]-propyl}ethyl-dimethyl-ammonium-bromide (Compound 106, Table 1) a) 2,6-Diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-1-(1-phenyl-ethoxy)-piperidine-4-one-O-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-oxime

To a slurry of sodium hydride (4.36 g, 0.1 mol, 55% in mineral oil) in DMF (30 ml) is added dropwise the solution of 2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-1-(1-phenyl-ethoxy)-piperidine-4-one oxime (16.6 g, 0.05 mol, prepared as described in WO 02/100831 A1). The mixture is stirred 150 min at 25° C. and then 3-dimethylaminopropylchloride (9.48 g, 0.06 mol) is added during 1 h. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 h, the DMF is then evaporated in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in ethyl acetate (100 ml), washed with water (2×25 ml), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated. Chromatography on silica gel column (hexane-ethylacetate 1:1) affords 12.55 g of the title compound as a colorless oil.

MS (DEP-Cl), C₂₅H₄₃N₃O₂ (417.64): found 418 (100, [M+H]⁺).

b) Quaternisation

Ethylbromide (7.5 ml) is added to a solution of 2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-1-(1-phenyl-ethoxy)-piperidine-4-one-O-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-oxime (10.2 g, 0.0244 mol) in acetonitrile (12 ml). The solution is stirred 24 h at room temperature and is then evaporated. The residue is dissolved in dichloromethane, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to afford 11.5 g of the title compound as a white powder.

MS (ESI), cation C₂₇H₄₈N₃O₂ (446.4): found 446.9.

Example A7 {3-[2-(2,6-Diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionyl-amino]-propyl}-ethyl-dimethyl-ammonium-bromide-terephthalate (Compound 107, Table 1) a) Terephthalic acid bis-(2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-N-oxyl-4-yl)ester

Terephthaloylchloride (12.2 g, 0.06 mol) is added dropwise to a solution of 2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-4-hydroxy-N-oxyl (25.72 g, 0.12 mol, prepared as described in DE 19909767 A1) in dichloromethane (80 ml) and pyridine (30 ml). The mixture is stirred 72 h, is then diluted with dichloromethane (100 ml) and water (100 ml). The organic layer is washed with water (2×50 ml), dried over MgSO4 and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel column (500 g, hexanes-ethylacetate 4:1) to afford 31.85 g of the title compound as a thick red oil.

b) Terephthalic acid bis-{1-[1-(3-dimethylamino-propylcarbamoyl)-ethoxy]-2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-4-yl}ester

Terephthalic acid bis-(2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-N-oxyl-4-yl) ester (16.76 g, 0.03 mol), CuCl (11.9 g, 0.12 mol), PMDETA (20.8 g, 0.12 mol) and 2-chloro-N-(3-dimethylami-no-propyl)-propionamide (13.7 g, 0.071 mol) are reacted as described in Example A3 to afford 21.1 g of the title compound as ammorphous solid.

MS (APCI), C₄₈H₈₄N₆O₈ (873.24): found M⁺=872.8.

c) Quaternisation

Ethylbromide (7.5 ml) is added to a solution of terephthalic acid bis-{1-[1-(3-dimethylami-no-propylcarbamoyl)-ethoxy]-2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-4-yl}ester (11.0 g, 0.0125 mol) in acetonitrile (20 ml). The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 17 h and is then evaporated to afford 14.1 g of the title compound as a colorless amorphous solid.

MS (ESI), cation C₅₂H₉₄N₆O₈ (930.7): found 931.8.

Example A8 Ethyl-{3-[2-(4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionylamino]-propyl}-dimethyl-ammonium-bromide (Compound 108, Table 1) a) N-(3-Dimethylamino-propyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-2.2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionamide

4-Hydroxy-TEMPO (25.84 g, 0.15 mol), CuCl (29.7 g, 0.3 mol), PMDETA (52.0 g, 0.3 mol) and 2-chloro-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-propionamide (35.75 g, 0.18 mol) are reacted as described in Example A3. The final purification of the residue after the extractive workup is performed by crystallization from toluene (45 ml) and hexane (50 ml) to afford 31.13 g of the title compound as a white solid, mp. 85-88° C.

For C₁₇H₃₅N₃O₃ (329.49) calc %/found %: C, 61.97/61.85; H, 10.71/10.55; N, 12.75/12.61.

b) Quaternisation

Ethylbromide (9.85 ml) is added to a solution of N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionamide (10.9 g, 0.033 mol) in acetonitrile (30 ml). The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 22 h and is then evaporated to afford 14.7 g of the title compound as a colorless amorphous solid.

MS (ESI) cation C₁₉H₄₀N₃O₃ (358.3): found 358.6.

Example A9 {3-[2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-propyl}-ethyl-dimethyl-ammonium-bromide (Compound 109, Table 1)

Ethylbromide (12 ml) is added to a solution of 2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-methyl-propionamide (20.5 g, 0.053 mol, compound 110) in acetonitrile (35 ml). The mixture is stirred for 18 h at room temperature and is then evaporated to afford 26.63 g of the title compound as a colorless solid.

MS (ESI) cation C₂₃H₄₈N₃O₃ (414.4): found 414.5.

Example A10 2-(2,6-Diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-.N.-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-methyl-propionamide (Compound 110, Table 1) a) 2-Bromo-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-methyl-propionamide

To a solution of 3-dimethylaminopropylamine (25 ml, 0.1 mol) in THF (50 ml) was added dropwise over 50 minutes and while keeping the temperature between 0-10° C. bromoisobutyroyl bromide (23.0 g, 0.1 mol). The mixture is stirred for another 3 h at room temperature and the THF is then evaporated in vacuo. Water (20 ml) is added to the residue and the mixture is extracted with t-butyl-methyl ether (2×30 ml) and ethylacetate (30 ml).

The combined extracts are washed with saturated NaCl solution (10 ml), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to afford 24.1 g of the title compound as a colorless oil.

¹H-NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃): 8.51 (bs, NH), 3.39-3.34 (m, CH₂), 2.47-2.43 (t, CH₂), 2.25 (s, 2×CH₃), 1.94 (s, 2×CH₃), 1.72-1.64 (m, CH₂)

b) 2-(2,6-Diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-methyl-propionamide

2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-4-hydroxy-N-oxyl (12.86 g, 0.06 mol, prepared as described in DE 19909767 A1), CuCl (11.9 g, 0.12 mol), PMDETA (20.8 g, 0.12 mol) and 2-bromo-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-methyl-propionamide (16.5 g, 0.066 mol) are reacted as described in Example A3 to afford 23.6 g of the title compound as a white amorphous solid.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.4-7.25 (bs, NH), 4.19-4.11 (m, 1H), 3.44-3.24 (m, 2H), 2.39-0.79 (m, 39H).

Example A11 Benzyl-{3-[2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-2-methyl-propionylamino]-propyl}-dimethyl-ammonium-chloride (Compound 111, Table 1)

Benzylchloride (0.87 g, 0.0069 mol) is added to a solution of 2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-N-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-2-methyl-propionamide (2.2 g, 0.0057 mol, compound 110) in acetonitrile (3 ml). The mixture is stirred for 19 h at room temperature and is then evaporated. The residue is triturated with diethylether to remove the excess of benzylchloride, the solid is filtered off and dried to afford 3.0 g of the title compound as a colorless amorphous solid.

MS (ESI) cation C₂₈H₅₀N₃O₃ (476.4): found 476.4.

Example A12 Benzyl-{3-[2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionylamino]-propyl}-dimethyl-ammonium-chloride (Compound 112, Table 1)

Benzylchloride (3.8 g, 0.03 mol) is added to a solution of 2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-.N.-(3-dimethylamino-propyl)-propionamide (10.1 g, 0.0272 mol) in acetonitrile (15 ml). The mixture is stirred for 18 h at room temperature and is then evaporated. The residue is triturated with diethylether to remove the excess of benzylchloride, the solid is filtered off and dried to afford 13.1 g of the title compound as a colorless amorphous solid.

¹H-NMR(300 MHz, MeOH-d4): 7.60-7.51 (m, C₆H₅), 4.56 (s, CH₂), 4.25-4.15 (m, 2H), 3.35-3.29 (m, 4H), 3.06 (s, 6H), 2.15-0.80 (m, 29H).

Example A13 Tributyl-{3-[2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionyloxy]-propyl}-phosphonium-bromide (Compound 113, Table 1) a) 2-Bromo-propionic acid 3-bromo-propyl ester

3-Bromopropanol (10.75 g, 0.075 mol) is added over 20 minutes to a solution of 2-bromopropionylbromide (17.9 g, 0.079 mol) in toluene (75 ml) while keeping the temperature between 15-20° C. The mixture is stirred for 6 h at room temperature and is then poured under vigorous stirring into 1M solution of Na₂CO₃ (80 ml). The organic layer is separated, washed with water (3×50 ml), dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to afford 19.75 g of the title compound as a colorless oil.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 4.42-4.24 (m, CH+CH₂), 3.55-3.47 (t, CH₂), 2.27-2.19 (m, CH₂), 1.84-1.82 (d, CH₃).

b) 2-(2,6-Diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionic acid 3-bromo-propyl ester

2,6-diethyl-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-4-hydroxy-N-oxyl (10.7 g, 0.05 mol, prepared as described in DE 19909767 A1), CuCl (9.9 g, 0.1 mol), PMDETA (17.3 g, 0.1 mol) and 2-bromo-propionic acid 3-bromo-propyl ester (17 g, 0.055 mol) are reacted as described in Example A3 to afford 16.4 g of the title compound as a colorless oil.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 4.38-4.17 (m, 4H), 3.54-3.46 (m, 2H), 2.23-0.79 (m, 28H).

c) Quaternisation

Tributylphosphine (3 ml, 0.012 mol) is added to a solution of 2-(2,6-diethyl-4-hydroxy-2,3,6-trimethyl-piperidine-1-yloxy)-propionic acid 3-bromo-propyl ester (4.08 g, 0.01 mol) in acetonitrile (5 ml). The solution is stirred under argon at 60° C. for 23 h. The solvent is evaporated and the residue is triturated with diethyl ether (2×15 ml) to remove the excess of the phosphine. Drying of the oily, in ether insoluble, residue affords 6.45 g of the title compound as a thick resin.

¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 4.38-4.13 (m, 4H), 2.66-2.47 (m, 8H), 2.1-0.83 (m, 49H).

The compounds are summarized in Table 1 TABLE 1 No Stucture 101

102

103

104

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

B) APPLICATION EXAMPLES PROOF OF POLYMERIZATION

Polymerization of n-butyl Acrylate with Cationic Alkoxyamines (NOR's)

The cationic NOR's are tested in pure n-butyl acrylate monomer: In a 50 ml round bottom flask with vacuum and nitrogen inlet and magnetic stirrer 10 g n-butyl acrylate (BASF, techn. quality) is mixed with 1.5 mol % of the cationic alkoxyamine (NOR), evacuated and purged with nitrogen 3 times and polymerized at 140° C. (examples B1-B4) in an oil bath for 7-20 h under good stirring. The conversion is measured by ¹H-NMR, M, and PDI with GPC in THF, values are relative to PS-standards. The polymerization results are presented in Table 2 TABLE 2 ConversionUmsatz % M_(n) NOR Time (¹H-NMR) (found) PDI Example B1 17 h  90% 6980 1.47 Compound 101 Example B2 20 h  78% 5470 1.24 Compound 102 Example B3 7 h 70% 6660 1.68 Compound 103 Example B4 7 h 60% 5080 1.46 Compound 104 Example B5 7 h 42% 3770 1.35 Compound 106 120° C. 7 H 94% 6600 1.49 140° C. Example B6 22 h  76% 4000 1.88 Compound 107 140° C. Example B7 5 h 71% 6150 1.21 Compound 110 140° C. Example B8 7 h 65% 6270 1.34 Compound 111 140° C. Example B9 7 h 58% 3680 2.18 Compound 112 140° C.

The results presented in Table 2 clearly show that all compounds are able to initiate a controlled polymerization of n-butylacrylate.

C) APPLICATION EXAMPLES INTERCALATION OF SHEET SILICATES WITH CATIONIC NOR'S Example C1 Intercalation of Nanofil EXM 588 (Layered Silicate of Montmorillonite-Type from Süd Chemie, Germany) with Compound 101

In a 50 ml round bottom flask 2.0 g Nanofil EXM 588 is dispersed in 30 ml of a 0.05 M solution of compound 101 in water and stirred with magnetic stirring during 24 h at R.T. After centrifugation (IEC Centra GP8 Zentrifuge, 100-180 ml glass vessels) with 2000 rpm (corresponding to ca. 850 g) during 20 min, a sample is taken of the supernatent clear solution, from which the concentration of remaining (=non intercalated) compound 101 is determined by UV-spektroscopy at λ245 nm. The intercalated quantity of compound 101 is determined to be 358 mg (=0.702 mmol) for 1 g of layered silicate.

The supernatant solution is decanted and the solid washed with water, centrifugation and decantation 3 times. This procedure is repeated with MeOH. The sedimented, washed product is subjected to a powder X-ray (λ=1.54 Angström), giving a main reflection at 2Θ_(max.)=3.86°, which corresponds to an interlayer distance d of 2.29 nm. Compared with the native sheet silicate (2Θ_(max.)=7.1°, =>d=1.24 nm) an increase of the interlayer distance of 1.05 nm is obtained, corresponding to approximately the size of the intercalated molecule. The reflex at 2Θ_(max.)=7.1° (d=1.24 nm), corresponding to the original sheet distance has almost completely disappeared.

In order to check the adsorbed quantity of intercalated compound 101, a sample is completely dried in vacuum and the weight loss determined by thermographimetric analysis (TGA): heating rate: 10° C./min, from room temperature to 600° C. The obtained weight loss of 26.3% corresponds very well to the theoretical value of 26.4%.

Examples C2-C5 are carried out in analogy to Example C1, the following cationic NOR's are intercalated into Nanofil EXM 588: The results are given in Table 3. TABLE 3 Sheet distance Example Intercalated after No. NOR amount NOR* intercalation Remarks Example Compound 22.7 wt. % 2Θ_(max.) = 4.2°, => ≈complete C2 104 (=0.47 mmol/g) d = 2.11 nm exchange Example Compound 24.9 wt. % 2Θ_(max.) = 4.3°, => ≈complete C3 103 (=0.53 mmol/g) d = 2.03 nm exchange Example Compound 29.2 wt. % d = 2.21 nm ≈complete C4 111 (=0.61 mmol/g) exchange Example Compound   25 wt. % d = 2.10 nm ≈complete C5 112 exchange *based on the total weight layered silicate + NOR compound

D) APPLICATION EXAMPLES POLYMERIZATION OF INTERCALATED SHEET SILICATES WITH CATIONIC NOR'S Example D1

In a 50 ml round bottom flask with magnetic stirring and vacuum and nitrogen inlet 0.5 g with compound 101 intercalated Nanofil EXM588 in 9.5 g n-butyl acrylate (BASF, techn. quality) and 4.28 g 2-methoxypropyl acetate is dispersed and homogenized in an ultrasonic bath. After evacuation and purging 5 times with N₂, the monomer is polymerized during 9 h at 140° C. (bath temperature) under vigorous stirring. The monomer conversion, determined by ¹H-NMR, is 85%. The dispersion is subjected to centrifugation at 2000 rpm during 60 min and the sedimented solid washed with EtOAc and dried. 57 mg are obtained. It is shown using TGA (see ex. 6: weight loss 250 to 600° C.: 26%, theory: 23%) that the solid is pure intercalated Nanofil EXM 588 with compound 101 and does not contain polymer.

The supernatant solution is evaporated and dried. According to TGA analysis the composition contains approximately 10% layered silicate and 90% polymer.

The X-ray analysis of the solid gave only peaks at 2Θ>10°, which indicates complete exfoliation. A sample (150 mg) of this solid is refluxed with 15 ml 0.1 M LiBr solution in THF during 17 h at 65° C., to cleave off the polymer from the sheet silicate. After filtration molar mass (M_(n)) and PDI is determined by GPC in THF (relative to PS-standards): M_(n)=18000, M_(w)=38600, PDI=2.15.

The supernatant solution can be centrifuged during many hours (2000 rpm, corresponding to ca. 850 g), without further sedimentation. Even after 10-fold dilution with EtOAC it is stable for months (no sedimentation observed) which proves the nm size of the particles, indicating complete exfoliation.

Comparative Example D-Com

The experiment is performed in analogy to example 1 using 0.5 g with α,α′-azodiisobutyramidine-dihydrochloride intercalated Nanofil EXM588 in 9.5 g n-butyl acrylate, without further solvent. Polymerization: 3 h at 80° C. (bath temperature).

The dispersion is diluted with 240 ml toluene and 20 min centrifuged at 2000 rpm. After washing and drying 0.35 g of a solid is obtained which corresponds according to TGA analysis to pure with α,α′-azodiisobutyramidine-dihydrochloride intercalated Nanofil EXM588 and contains no polymer!

The supernatant solution is completely evaporated and the residue dissolved in 150 ml THF. Centrifugation 1 h with 2000 rpm gives again 50 mg with α,α′-azodiisobutyramidine-dihydrochloride intercalated Nanofil EXM588. After evaporation of all solvent and drying 24 h at 60° C. in vacuum 2.0 g polymer with ca. 0.1 g with α,α′-azodiisobutyramidine-dihydrochloride intercalated Nanofil EXM5881 is obtained in accordance with the TGA analysis: Weight loss 25° to 600° C.: 97% (calculated: 96.5%).

A sample (150 mg) of this solid is refluxed with 15 ml 0.1 M LiBr solution in THF during 17 h at 65° C. in order to seperate the polymer from the sheet silicate. Afterwards the solution is filtered and M_(n) and PDI determined by GPC in THF (relative to PS-standards): M_(n)=658000, M_(w)=1360000, PDI=2.06.

The comparison of inventive example D1 with comparative example D-Com shows that the exfoliation of the layered silicate using intercalated NOR (ex. 1) followed by controlled radical polymerization is much more efficient: Firstly a much higher monomer conversion (85% compared to 20%) is obtained; secondly only a small amount of the layered silicate is not exfoliated (11.4% compared with 80% in ex. 1), which can be explained by an efficient initiation in all layers, and thirdly the formed polymer has a much lower, controlled molecular weight.

Example D2

In analogy to example D1, the controlled radical polymerization of styrene is used to exfoliate the sheet silicate Nanofil EXM588, intercalated with the cationic NOR compound 104. The exfoliated sheet silicate contains 66 wt. % polystyrene and 34 wt. % sheet silicate as measured by TGA. The attached (onto the sheet silicate layers) polystyrene has a molecular weight of M_(n)=2050, M_(w)=4010 (GPC analysis).

Example D3

In analogy to example D1, 10 g with compound 104 intercalated Nanofil EXM588 (ex. 7), 40 g n-butyl acrylate (BASF, techn. quality) and 120 g 2-methoxypropyl acetate is dispersed in a 350 ml round bottom flask with an ultraturax mixer during 25 min. After evacuation and purging 5 times with N₂, the monomer is polymerized during 18 h at 140° C. (oil bath temperature: 155° C.) with mechanical stirring. The monomer conversion, determined by ¹H-NMR, is 33%. The dispersion is diluted with 100 ml EtOH and subjected to centrifugation at 2000 rpm during 60 min. 2 products, consisting of exfoliated sheet silicate with attached polymer are obtained:

The sedimented solid is redispersed in EtOH, centrifuged (1 h at 2000 rpm) and the sedimented product dried in high vacuum at 90° C. over night. 11.4 g of a grey solid is obtained. Weight loss measured by TGA (25° to 600° C., 10° C./min) gives 46 wt. % polymer attached to the sheet silicate (54 wt. %). In order to determine the molecular weight of the attached poly(n-butyl acrylate) chains, a sample (150 mg) of this solid is refluxed with 15 ml 0.1 M LiBr solution in THF during 17 h at 65° C. GPC gives a molar mass M_(n) of 3380 and M_(w)=5150, corresponding to a PDI of 1.52 and therefore the polymerization is well controlled. The supernatant solution is also evaporated and dried: 18.75 g solid. Weight loss measured by TGA (25° to 600° C., 10° C./min) gives 60 wt. % polymer attached to the sheet silicate (40 wt. %). The determination of the molecular weight of the attached poly(n-butyl acrylate) chains by GPC gives a molar mass M_(n) of 2340 and M_(w)=4140, corresponding to a PDI of 1.77. Also in this fraction, the polymerization is well controlled.

The X-ray analysis of both samples give only peaks at 2Θ>10°, indicating complete exfoliation.

Example D4

In analogy to example D3, 7.5 g with compound 111 intercalated Nanofil EXM588 (ex. 9), 40 g n-butyl acrylate (BASF, techn. quality) and 120 g 2-methoxypropyl acetate is dispersed in a 350 ml round bottom flask with an ultraturax mixer during 25 min. After evacuation and purging 5 times with N₂, the monomer is polymerized during 19 h at 140° C. (oil bath temperature: 155° C.) with mechanical stirring. The dispersion is put into a rotavap and all the solvents are evaporated. The highly viscous solid is than put into a Soxhlet extraction apparatus and continuously extracted with 300 ml EtOAc during 18 h. The remaining solid is dried in high vacuum at 90° C. over night: 15.5 g of a grey solid is obtained. Weight loss measured by TGA (25° to 600° C., 10° C./min) gives 64 wt. % polymer attached to the sheet silicate (36 wt. %). The determination of the molecular weight of the attached poly(n-butyl acrylate) chains by GPC gives a molar mass M_(n) of 2530 and M_(w)=4090, corresponding to a PDI of 1.62, indicating a well controlled polymerization.

The extracted fraction (7.1 g) contained 86 wt. % polymer and 14 wt. % sheet silicate (TGA-analysis) and a molecular weight for the attached poly(n-butyl acrylate) chains of M_(n) of 2470 and M_(w)=4070 (PDI=1.65).

In both fractions the polymerization is well controlled and the sheet silicate completely exfoliated (X-ray analysis).

Example D5

In analogy to example D4, 7.5 g with compound 111 intercalated Nanofil EXM588 (ex. 9), 32.5 g styrene (Fluka, purum) and 75 g butylacetate (Fluka, purum) is dispersed in a 350 ml round bottom flask with an ultraturax mixer during 25 min. After evacuation and purging 5 times with N₂, the monomer is polymerized during 24 h at 120° C. with mechanical stirring. The dispersion is precipitated in EtOH and the solid dried in a vacuum oven at 50° C. over night: 20 g of white solid. It is grinded to a fine powder and put put into a Soxhlet extraction apparatus and continuously extracted with 300 ml EtOAc during 18 h. The remaining solid is dried in high vacuum at 90° C. over night: 12.1 g of a grey solid is obtained. X-ray analysis shows complete exfoliation.

Weight loss measured by TGA (25° to 600° C., 10° C./min) gives 72 wt. % polymer attached to the sheet silicate (28 wt. %). The determination of the molecular weight of the attached poly(n-butyl acrylate) chains by GPC gives a molar mass M_(n) of 4190 and M_(w)=4640, corresponding to a PDI of 1.11, indicating an extremely well controlled polymerization.

The extracted fraction is only 1.6 g, consisting of 82% polystyrene and only 18% sheet silicate, as measured by TGA. This fraction mostly contains well controlled polystyrene (M_(n)=3500, M_(w)=4230, PDI=1.21) which is not attached to the silicate layers. It is not used for test purposes. From the overall mass balance, the styrene conversion can be calculated to be ca. 31%.

Example D6

In analogy to example D4, 5 g with compound 111 intercalated Optigel SH, 25.8 g n-butyl acrylate (BASF, techn. quality) and 77.3 g 2-methoxypropyl acetate (Fluka, purum) is dispersed in a 350 ml round bottom flask with an ultraturax mixer during 25 min. After evacuation and purging 5 times with N₂, the monomer is polymerized during 19 h at 140° C. with mechanical stirring. The dispersion is put into a rotavap and all the solvents are evaporated. The paste is than put into a Soxhlet extraction apparatus and continuously extracted with 300 ml EtOAc during 18 h. The remaining solid is dried in high vacuum at 90° C. over night: 6.4 g of a white solid is obtained. X-ray analysis shows complete exfoliation. Weight loss measured by TGA (25° to 600° C., 10° C./min) gives 49 wt. % polymer attached to the sheet silicate (51 wt. %). The determination of the molecular weight of the attached poly(n-butyl acrylate) chains by GPC gives a molar mass M_(n) of 3270 and M_(w)=5140, corresponding to a PDI of 1.57, indicating a well controlled polymerization.

The extracted fraction (5.2 g) consists of almost pure polymer, not attached to sheet silicate layers. From the mass balance, the n-butyl acrylate conversion can be calculated to be ca. 32%, leading to a theoretical (=calculated) molecular weight of the poly(n-butyl acrylate) chains of M_(n)=3270. This is in perfect agreement with the observed molecular weight and corroborates again the perfect control of the polymer chain length by this method. 

1. A compound of formula (I) or (II)

wherein G₁ and G₂ independently represent a tertiary carbon atom to which an unsubstituted C₁-C₁₈alkyl or phenyl or with CN, COC₁-C₁₈alkyl, CO-phenyl, COOC₁-C₁₈alkyl, OC₁-C₁₈alkyl, NO₂, NHC₁-C₁₈alkyl or N(C₁-C₁₈)₂alkyl substituted alkyl or phenyl groups are bonded; or one of G₁ and G₂ is a secondary carbon atom to which a group —P(O)(OR₂₂)₂ is bonded and the other is as defined above; or G₁ and G₂ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded form a 5 to 8 membered heterocyclic ring or a polycyclic or spirocyclic 5 to 20 membered heterocyclic ring system which is substituted with 4 C₁-C₄alkyl groups or 2 C₅-C₁₂ spirocycloalkyl groups in the ortho position to the nitrogen atom and which may be further substituted with one or more C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₁-C₁₈alkoxy or ═O groups; and which may be interrupted by a further oxygen or nitrogen atom; with the proviso that at least one of the 4 C₁-C₄alkyl groups in ortho position to the nitrogen atom is higher alkyl than methyl; L₁, L₂ and L₄ is a linking group selected from the group consisting of a direct bond, R₁—Y or R₂—C(O)—Y— where Y is attached to G₁ and/or G₂; C₁-C₂₅alkylene, C₂-C₂₅alkylene interrupted by

 phenylene or C₅-C₈cycloalkylene; Y is O, or NR₉ L₃ is a group containing at least one carbon atom and is such that the radical .L₃-(Q⁺X⁻) derived from the group is able to initiate polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers; Q₂ is a direct bond, O, NR₅ or NR₅R₆; Q⁺ is a cationic group selected from the group consisting of

wherein R₁ is C₁-C₁₈alkylene, R₂ is a direct bond or C₁-C₁₈alkylene, R₃ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₈alkyl, R₄ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₈alkyl, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each independently of the others hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl or C₆-C₁₀heteroaryl, which all may be unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, OH, NO₂, CN, C₁-C₄alkoxy, or R₅, R₆ and R₇ together with the nitrogen or phosphorous atom to which they are bonded form a 3-12 membered monocyclic or polycyclic ring which may contain further heteroatoms; R₈ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂₅alkyl, C₃-C₂₅alkyl interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or by

C₂-C₂₄alkenyl, R₉ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkinyl, phenyl, C₇-C₉phenylalkyl, which all may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more hydroxy, halogen or C₁-C₄alkoxy groups; R₂₂ is C₁-C₁₈alkyl; X⁻ is the anion of a C₁-C₁₈carboxylic acid which may contain more than one carboxylic acid group, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrite, nitrate, hydroxide, acetate, hydrogen sulfate, sulfate, C₁-C₁₈alkoxy sulfate, aromatic or aliphatic sulfonate, carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, perchlorate, chlorate, tetrafluoroborate, borate, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate or mixtures thereof; and p, q, and r are independently of each other a number from 0 to 10 and at least one is different from
 0. 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein in formula I or II -L₁(Q⁺X⁻), -L₂(Q⁺X⁻), and -L₃(Q⁺X⁻), are a group

wherein K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl and K₃ is a group

where K₄ is —Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ or —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N₊R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), where s is a number from 0-8, t is a number from 0-4 and u is 0 or 1 and Y is —O— or NR₉; or

Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond, wherein if Z is —C(O)—, K₅ has the same meaning as K₄, and if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or —CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻; and Y is —O—, —NR₉ or a direct bond;

the other substituents are as defined in claim
 1. 3. A compound according to claim 1 of formulae Ia, Ib, Ic, Id or Ie

wherein Q₁ is a direct bond or a —CH₂— group; wherein if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is hydrogen, and if Q₁ is —CH₂—, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso that at least one is ethyl; T₇ and T₁₀ are independently hydrogen or methyl; T₅ and T₆ are hydrogen or T₅ and T₆ together are a group ═O, ═NOH, ═NO-T₉ or T₅ is hydrogen and T₆ is —O-T₉ or —NR₉-T₉ where T₉ is hydrogen, R₉ or —C(O)—R₉, where R₉ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkinyl, phenyl, C₇-C₉phenylalkyl, which may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more hydroxy, halogen or C₁-C₄alkoxy groups; T₁₁, T₁₂, T₁₃, T₁₄, T₁₅ and T₁₆ independently are C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkinyl, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl; or T₁₁ is hydrogen and T₁₂ is a group —P(O)(OC₂H₅)₂ and the others are as defined above; or T₁₁ and T₁₄ are a group —CH₂—O-T₉ and the others are as defined above; or T₁₆ is a group —C(O)—Y—R₅ and the others are as defined above; or T₁₁, T₁₂ and T₁₃ are a group —CH₂OH; -L₃(Q⁺X⁻), is a group

wherein K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl and K₃ is a group

where K₄ is Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ or —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(C H₂—C H₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), where s and t are each a number from 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or K₄ is a group

Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond, wherein if Z is —C(O)—, K₅ has the meaning of K₄, and if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or —CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻; Y is —O— or —NR₉;

X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined in claim
 1. 4. A compound according to claim 1 of formula IIa, IIb, IIc, IId or IIe

wherein A₁ and A₂ are independently hydrogen or together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded form a cabonyl group, —C(O)—; D is a direct bond or C₁-C₁₂alkylene, C₁-C₁₂alkylene which is interrupted by one or more O, S, or NR₉ atoms, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkylene or phenylene; E is a group —NR₉—(CH₂)_(x)—NR₉— where x is a number from 2 to 12, or a group

v is a number from 0 to 10 and w is 0 or 1; Q₁ is a direct bond or a —CH₂— group; wherein if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is hydrogen, and if Q₁ is —CH₂—, T₈ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; Y is —O— or —NR₉; T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso that at least one is ethyl; T₇ is hydrogen or methyl; -L₃(Q⁺X⁻), is a group

wherein K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl and K₃ is a group

where K₄ is Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ or —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻ —{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), where s and t are each a number from 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or K₄ is a group

Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond, wherein if Z is —C(O)—, K₅ has the meaning of K₄, and if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or —CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻;

X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined in claim
 1. 5. A compound according to claim 1 of formula IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IIId or IIIe

wherein T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso that at least one is ethyl; T₇ is hydrogen or methyl; Y is O or NR₉; Q₁ is a direct bond or a —CH₂— group; wherein if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is hydrogen, and if Q₁ is —CH₂—, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; v is a number from 0 to 10 and w is 0 or 1; K₇ is a group —CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), where s and t are each a number from 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or a group -D₁-Q⁺X⁻ where D₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkylene, C₁-C₁₂alkylene which is interrupted by one or more O, S, or NR₉ atoms, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkylene or phenylene;

K₆ selected from the group consisting of

R₃₀ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₂alkyl; the alkyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with one or more —OH, —COOH or —C(O)R₃₀ groups; and the aryl groups are phenyl or naphthyl which are unsubstituted or substituted with C₁-C₁₂alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂alkylcarbonyl, glycidyloxy, OH, —COOH or —COO(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl, and X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined in claim
 1. 6. A compound according to claim 1 of formula IVa

wherein T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso that at least one is ethyl; T₇ is hydrogen or methyl;

where x is a number from 2 to 12; K₆ is selected from the group consisting of

R₃₀ is hydrogen or C₁-C₁₂alkyl; the alkyl groups are unsubstituted or substituted with one or more —OH, —COOH or —C(O)R₃₀ groups; and the aryl groups are phenyl or naphthyl which are unsubstituted or substituted with C₁-C₁₂alkyl, halogen, C₁-C₁₂alkoxy, C₁-C₁₂alkylcarbonyl, glycidyloxy, OH, —COOH or —COO(C₁-C₁₂)alkyl, and X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined in claim
 1. 7. A compound according to claim 1 of formula Va, Vb, Vc, Vd or Ve

wherein T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso that at least one is ethyl; T₇ is hydrogen or methyl; Q₁ is a direct bond or a —CH₂— group; wherein if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is hydrogen, and if Q₁ is —CH₂—, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl and K₃ is a group

where K₄ is Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ or —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), where s and t are each a number from 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or K₄ is a group

Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond, wherein if Z is —C(O)—, K₅ has the meaning of K₄, and if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or —CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻; K₇ is a group —CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), where s and t are each a number from 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or a group -D₁-Q⁺X⁻ where D₁ is C₁-C₁₂alkylene, C₁-C₁₂alkylene which is interrupted by one or more O, S, or NR₉ atoms, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkylene or phenylene;

X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined in claim
 1. 8. A compound according to claim 1 of formula VIa

wherein T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ are independently methyl or ethyl with the proviso that at least one is ethyl; T₇ is hydrogen or methyl;

where x is a number from 2 to 12; K₁ and K₂ are hydrogen, C₅-C₁₂cycloalkyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl and K₃ is a group

where K₄ is Y—[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ or —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), where s and t are each a number from 0-4 and u is 0 or 1; or K₄ is a group

Z is —C(O)— or a direct bond, wherein if Z is —C(O)—, K₅ has the meaning of K₄, and if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻—{[(CH₂—CH₂)—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆X⁻]_(t)—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻}_(u), Q⁺X⁻, —CH₂Q⁺X⁻ or —CHCH₃Q⁺X⁻ and X⁻ and the other substituents are as defined in claim
 1. 9. A compound according to claim 3 of formula Ia1, Ib1, Ic1, Id1 or Ie1

wherein Q₁ is a direct bond or CH₂; T₁ and T₃ are ethyl and T₂ and T₄ are methyl; T₇ is methyl or H; if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is H; if Q₁ is CH₂, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; T₁₀ is H if T₇ is methyl or T₁₀ is methyl if T₇ is H; T₁₁, T₁₂, T₁₃, T₁₄, T₁₅ and T₁₆ are independently methyl or ethyl; or T₁₁, is H, T₁₂ is isopropyl, T₁₃ is phenyl and T₁₄, T₁₅, and T₁₆ are methyl; or T₁₁, is H, T₁₂ is —P(═O)(OC₂H₅)₂, T₁₃ is t-butyl and T₁₄, T₁₅, and T₁₆ are methyl; or T₁₁, and T₁₄ are —CH₂O-T₉ and T₁₂ and T₁₅ are methyl or phenyl and T₁₃ and T₁₆ are methyl or ethyl; or T₁₁, T₁₂, T₁₃, T₁₄, T₁₅ are methyl and T₁₆ is a group —CO—O—R₉ or —CON(R₉)₂; or T₁₁, T₁₂ and T₁₃ are —CH₂OH, T₁₄ is H, T₁₅ is isopropyl and T₁₆ phenyl; T₉ is hydrogen, R₉ or —C(O)—R₉, where R₉ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkinyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl; K₁ is H, K₂ is methyl or ethyl and K₃ is a group —CO—K₄ or

K₄ is —Y—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇ or; —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇ where Y is O or NR₉ and s is a number from 0 to 2; if K₃ is

Z is —CO— or a direct bond; and if Z is —CO—, K₅ has the same meaning as K₄; if Z is a direct bond, K₅ is a group —O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)₈—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇ or —CH₂N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻ and X⁻ is the anion of a C₁-C₁₈carboxylic acid which may contain more than one carboxylic acid group, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrite, nitrate, hydroxide, acetate, hydrogen sulfate, sulfate, C₁-C₁₈alkoxy sulfate, aromatic or aliphatic sulfonate, carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, perchlorate, chlorate, tetrafluoroborate, borate, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate or mixtures thereof.
 10. A compound according to claim 4 of formula IIa1, IIb1, IIc1 or IId1

wherein Q₁ is a direct bond or CH₂; T₁ and T₃ are ethyl and T₂, T₄ and T₇ are methyl; if Q₁ is a direct bond, T₈ is H; and if Q₁ is CH₂, T₈ is methyl or ethyl; D is a direct bond, C₁-C₁₂alkylene or phenylene; E is —NR₅—(CH₂)_(x)—NR₅— where x is 2 to 12 or a group

wherein Y is ═NR₉; K₁ is H, K₂ is methyl or ethyl and K₃ is a group

K₄ is —Y—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇ or, —Y—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇, where Y is O or NR₉ and s is a number from 0 to 2; R₉ is hydrogen, C₁-C₁₈alkyl, C₃-C₁₈alkenyl, C₃-C₁₈alkinyl, phenyl or C₇-C₉phenylalkyl; if K₃ is

Z is —CO— or a direct bond; if Z is —CO—, K₅ has the same meaning as K₄; if Z is a direct bonds K₅ is a group —O—CH₂—CHOH—CH₂—N—CH₂—CH₂—(CH₂)_(s)—N⁺X⁻R₅R₆R₇ or —CH₂N⁺R₅R₆R₇X⁻; and X⁻ is the anion of a C₁-C₁₈carboxylic acid which may contain more than one carboxylic acid group, fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrite, nitrate, hydroxide, acetate, hydrogen sulfate, sulfate, C₁-C₁₈alkoxy sulfate, aromatic or aliphatic sulfonate, carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, perchlorate, chlorate, tetrafluoroborate, borate, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, dihydrogen phosphate or mixtures thereof.
 11. A process for preparing a monomer/polymer clay nanocomposite dispersion comprising the steps of A) providing a first aqueous dispersion of a natural or synthetic clay which can be partially intercalated and/or exfoliated and wherein said clay has an exchangeable cation; adding a compound according to claim 1 to said dispersion and exchanging said cation at least partially; B) adding to said dispersion at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and polymerizing at least a portion of said ethylenically unsaturated monomer.
 12. A process according to claim 11 wherein the water phase of step A) is at least partially removed before performing step B).
 13. A process according to claim 11 wherein the compound is added in an amount of from 1% to 100% by weight, based on the weight of the clay.
 14. A process according to claim 11 wherein the ethylenically unsaturated monomer or oligomer is selected from the group consisting of styrene, substituted styrenes, conjugated dienes, acrolein, vinyl acetate, vinylpyrrolidone, vinylimidazole, maleic anhydride, (alkyl)acrylic acid anhydrides, (alkyl)acrylic acid salts, (alkyl)acrylic esters, (meth)acrylonitriles and (alkyl)acrylamides, vinyl halides and vinylidene halides or mixtures thereof.
 15. A process according to claim 14 wherein the ethylenically unsaturated monomers are styrene, α-methyl styrene, p-methyl styrene or a compound of formula CH₂═C(R_(a))—(C=Z)-R_(b), wherein R_(a) is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl, R_(b) is NH₂, O⁻(Me⁺), glycidyl, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₈alkoxy, C₂-C₁₀₀alkoxy interrupted by at least one N and/or O atom, or hydroxy-substituted C₁-C₁₈alkoxy, unsubstituted C₁-C₁₈alkylamino, di(C₁-C₁₈alkyl)amino, hydroxy-substituted C₁-C₁₈alkylamino or hydroxy-substituted di(C₁-C₁₈alkyl)amino, —O—CH₂—CH₂—N(CH₃)₂ or —O—CH₂—CH₂—N⁺H(CH₃)₂An⁻; wherein An⁻ is an anion of a monovalent organic or inorganic acid; Me is a monovalent metal atom or the ammonium ion and Z is oxygen or sulfur.
 16. A process according to claim 11 wherein an acid containing unsaturated monomer is added, which is selected from the group consisting of methacrylic anhydride, maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, acryloxypropionic acid, (meth)acryloxypropionic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, ethylmethacrylate-2-sulphonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane, sulphonic acid; phosphoethylmethacrylate; the corresponding salts of the acid containing monomer, and combinations thereof.
 17. A process according to claim 11 wherein step B) is repeated with a second ethylenically unsaturated monomer which is different from the first one, leading to a block copolymer.
 18. A process according to claim 11 wherein the natural or synthetic clay is selected from the group consisting of smectite, phyllosilicate, montmorillonite, saponite, beidellite, montronite, hectorite, stevensite, vermiculite, kaolinite, hallosite, synthetic phyllosilicates, and combinations thereof.
 19. A monomer/polymer clay nanocomposite dispersion obtainable by a process according to claim
 11. 20. A composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of a natural or synthetic clay which is partially intercalated and/or exfoliated and a compound according to claim
 1. 21. A composition according to claims 20, which contains additionally an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and/or an organic solvent.
 22. A method for the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers which comprises polymerizing said monomers in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a compound of formula I or II according to claim
 1. 23. A method of improving the properties of paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, reactive diluents or thermoplastic materials which comprises incorporating a monomer/polymer clay nanocomposite dispersion according to claim 19 therein. 